In the past ten years, the number of travellers checking in to Airbnbs on the last day of the year has skyrocketed. While in 2009, there were only 1400 guests on New Year’s Eve, that number shot up to a whopping 3 million+ in 2017.
You’d think that on one of the busiest days of the year for bookings, renting your Airbnb out on NYE would seem like a no-brainer. But many hosts are concerned about parties, intoxicated guests, and damage. We understand the chaos that is associated with New Year’s Eve and Airbnb – but we don’t think that means you should pull your listing altogether.
In fact, we think hosts should take advantage of New Year’s Eve bookings, and can do it in a safe way. We’ve rounded up some tips to ensure your New Year’s bookings go smoothly.
Here are our tips for a smooth and secure New Year’s Eve!
Set clear expectations:
You should always set clear expectations in your listing descriptions, letting your guests know about amenities and features. But most importantly, let them know about rules. Now’s the time to say no parties. Is alcohol allowed? Is there a smoking area? Don’t forget about Canada’s recent marijuana legalisation when you’re setting guidelines! Some hosts also have “quiet hours”. Be sure that your guests can get a clear understanding of what will fly and what won’t.
Require information
Airbnb guests must provide their full name, date of birth, photo, phone number, email address and payment information to Airbnb before they can book their stay. But did you know? Hosts also have the option to require guests to provide Airbnb with a government ID before booking their listing.
Vet your guests
Just as a potential guest would check out your profile and read your reviews, you should be doing the same for them. Take the time to look at their profile. You can also find reviews that past hosts have left for them. This is a great way to weed out any guests that may bring up red flags.
Set up a security system
At Short and Suite BNB, the security of our hosts and guests is top priority. By setting up exterior security cameras (CCTVs), you can ensure that there are no issues. With this system in place, you can monitor your property to see if any strange activity is going on. For example, if your guest was breaking the rules and throwing a party, you’d be able to shut it down before it started by monitoring how many people were entering the space.
If something isn’t right, act on it.
On the rare chance that there is an issue, like a wild party or severe damage, you have the right to call the police and ask your guest to leave. You can also file a claim with Airbnb. They offer refunds, reimbursements, and a $1 million host guarantee. You should also check out their Host Protection Insurance program!
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If you follow these tips, you’re sure to start off 2019 right.
Happy New Year from all of us at Short and Suite BNB. And Happy Hosting!
